Rippling afterthoughts from Orem on Wave’s first state open win

Wave standout senior swimmer Caroline Orem will need some time to come down from Darien’s first-ever triple title season.

But it’s going to be time well spent.

“It was truly an unbelievable feeling after winning state opens for the first time ever,” said Orem, who won the backstroke setting a school record time breaking her own mark and shared All-American consideration with the winning medley relay swim. “This team is so talented and such a cohesive group that getting the triple-crown was an unreal experience.”

Marj always told us, we could get it if we wanted it bad enough, and this team definitely wanted it bad enough.

— Caroline Orem

Fellow senior captain Olivia Leunis cleaned up in two events; breaking the school record in the 200 IM — a record previously held by Orem — and setting a second straight school record in the 100 breaststroke, attracting All-American consideration there.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better team to make DHS swimming history with than this one,” Orem added. “We put in a lot of work this season, more than we ever have in the past.”

It all started much closer to home.

“Winning FCIACs in October definitely boosted our confidence about our goal at trying to beat Greenwich at the open,” Orem said. “(Coach) Marj (Trifone) always told us, we could get it if we wanted it bad enough, and this team definitely wanted it bad enough.”

“The relationships this team forms is what has led us to victory this season,” Orem said. “We couldn’t have done any of this if it weren’t for every single person on the team being there cheering at every meet.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end my high school swimming career.

“It was so nice to walk away winning three championships this season.”